A FOOTBALL trust that launched a £2000 community bursary to help charities and community groups has given away £2500 to 14 groups throughout Kilmarnock.
The initial sum available was £2000 but after being inundated with applications, The Killie Trust decided to increase the amount in order to help as many groups as possible.
Everyone from football teams to youth and volunteer groups were welcome to apply and The Trust received applications from a wide range of groups including 2nd Hurlford Brownies, Northwest Youth Project, New Farm Loch @ 40, Bellfield Royals 1999s and Fenwick Pre 5s.
Rona Gilmour from the 21st Ayrshire Cub Scout Group said: “We were absolutely delighted to hear that we had been successful in our application for the community bursary. For the past few years we have taken a group of cubs and leaders over to Arran to undertake an environmental project with the National Trust Park Rangers and the money donated will help to cover the costs for the eight cubs chosen to go this year.”
The Trust has already played a massive part in saving the youth development system at Kilmarnock Football Club, however, its aim is to invest not only in the club but also in the community.
The establishment of the community bursary was designed to contribute towards helping the many worthwhile causes and groups in the local area. This is the first year that The Killie Trust has undertaken this and it has proved to be a massive success.
Barry Richmond, chairman of The Killie Trust, said: “We were surprised by the amount of applications that came in and we decided that the best thing to do was increase the amount we were giving away. We’d like to thank Marie and Drew Macklin of the Klin Homes group for taking the time to go through the applications and having to make the tough decisions as to who received what, which was not an enviable task. They have done their best to ensure that there was a fair spread of the money and the recipients all seem delighted to say the least.”
Mary MacDonald who works with the Killie Cheerleaders was delighted to hear that they were being given enough money to buy new costumes for their junior cheerleaders.
Mary said: “We are a completely self-funded group of 50 cheerleaders aged eight to 18 who perform at all the Kilmarnock home games and at local fetes and galas. We’re thrilled to receive this money and can’t thank the Trust enough for their help.”
For information on The Killie Trust visit www.killietrust.org
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